Influence of Patient Education in Healthcare: Older Adults

Older Adults Patient Education Issues Essay and Interview
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Older Adults Patient Education Issues Essay and Interview
Health promotion is an increasingly important activity across an individual’s life span. Regarding the burgeoning health needs of the aging population, healthcare professionals should emphasize health promotion and patient education as urgent public health issues. Health literacy and health education facilitate older patients’ ability to effectively apply such recommendations and instructions. As such, older patients with multiple illnesses should understand a wide range of information to sustain their health and wellbeing better. In this essay, I interviewed Mr. J., a 65-year-old, concerning his experiences within the healthcare system, particularly concerning patient education and other care needs. Mr. J was recovering following colorectal surgery.
First, I inquired whether the patient education representative provided him with care instructions after the operation. The patient acknowledged being provided with recovery and postoperative instructions. Mr. J recalled the physician directing him to keep dry and clean for the first two days (including no showering). After 48 hours, the physician noted that he could remove the outer bandages over the incisions and take a shower, wash, and dry the wound gently with water and soap. There was no dressing required after 48 hours. The instructions also indicated that Mr. J avoids soaking in the pool or tub for 14 days after the surgery (SCL Health Medical Group, n.d.). Mr. J noted that he understood the instructions because the physician listened actively and was more empathetic. Physicians’ perspectives played a significant role in postoperative recovery (Kim & Oh, 2018).
The second question was whether the healthcare professional advised him on diet, medication, and exercise. In his response, Mr. J affirmed that the healthcare provider advised him to take a low fiber diet for six to eight weeks following the surgery, including drinking plenty of water. Th...